What we know about Rev. Jesse Jackson's death and plans to honor his life in Chicago
Feb 19, 2026
The Rev. Jesse Jackson “died peacefully” Feb. 17, his family said during a Tuesday morning news conference. He was 84. Jackson is a Chicago icon known for his work as a civil rights leader. "All are welcome" for services scheduled next week according to his family.When are services?Jackson will
lie in state Thursday, Feb. 26, and Friday, Feb. 27, at Rainbow PUSH's Kenwood headquarters at 930 E. 50th St. The services both days will start at 10 a.m. The service dates were adjusted Thursday after officials in South Carolina and Washington, D.C., offered to memorialize him there as well, so his remains will be traveling between March 1 and 5.A "People's Celebration" in Chicago will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 6, at House of Hope at 752 E. 114th St. Doors open at 9 a.m.Private homegoing services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 7, at Rainbow PUSH. Doors open at 8 a.m., with limited capacity. Relatives of Jackson said that "all are welcome," regardless of political party."Do not bring your politics, out of respect to Rev. Jesse Jackson and the life that he lived, to these homegoing services. They come respectful and come to say thank you," Jesse Jackson Jr. said during a media event in front of the Jackson family home. "But these homegoing services are welcome to all — Democrat, Republican, liberal and conservative, right wing, left wing, because his life is broad enough to cover the full spectrum of what it means to be an American."The family plans to livestream the services and will later share more information about how to watch from home. Regarded as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s protege, Jackson worked tirelessly throughout the Civil Rights Movement and after to champion for the rights of Black people. He started the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the famed Chicago-based multiracial nonprofit, in 1970, and it continues to fight for social change, economic equality and civil rights.In the 1980s, Jackson ran the first viable presidential campaign by a Black candidate in the U.S.In the wake of his death, leaders around the world and Chicago residents have shared messages of support for his family, remembering Jackson for his years of activism while mourning his loss. How did he die?While his family has not given an official cause of death nor said where he died, Jackson had been declining in health for a decade before his death. In 2015, Jackson was initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but he revealed last April that he actually had progressive supranuclear palsy.How is the political world reacting to his death?Political figures from across the country have weighed in to pay their respects and honor his legacy. In a joint statement, former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama wrote: "Michelle and I will always be grateful for Jesse's lifetime of service, and the friendship our families share. We stood on his shoulders. We send our deepest condolences to the Jackson family and everyone in Chicago and beyond who knew and loved him." President Donald Trump also extended his sympathies to Jackson's family in a statement posted to Truth Social Tuesday. "I knew him well, long before becoming President," he said. "He was very gregarious — Someone who truly loved people! Despite the fact that I am falsely and consistently called a Racist by the Scoundrels and Lunatics on the Radical Left, Democrats ALL, it was always my pleasure to help Jesse along the way."Chicago leaders, including Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker, also shared their condolences. "In honor of Rev. Jackson's service, and as our city mourns, the Chicago flag will lower to half-staff," Mayor Johnson wrote in a statement. Pritzker also ordered all flags across the state to fly at half-mast to honor him in a statement posted on social media."He broke down barriers, inspired generations, and kept hope alive. Our state, nation, and world are better due to his years of service," Pritzker said.How are Chicago residents reacting to his death?Across the city, Chicago residents mourned Jackson’s death and urged that his legacy continue. Martin Travis, a congregant of Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn, said in his youth, his parents brought him to demonstrations organized by Operation Breadbasket, a group Jackson led. Now, 64, Travis remembers Jackson as "instrumental in fighting for justice and freedom for all people."Chloe Gould, 41, a Bronzeville resident, said that his death hit "like you lost a family member." In the wake of his death, she said she worries about the future of civil rights activism, as activists and leaders have not stepped in to fill his shoes. "Who is gonna be the civil rights activist now?" she asked.
...read more
read less